December 9, 2016

I've been asked to share photos, so I decided to show you updated kitchen photos. We're not going to complete this space until we've moved up, but there have been changes. This wall backs up to the staircase to the second story. It's the east wall of the kitchen.

The little cabinet came out of the pantry (originally sitting on the floor like this - right inside the door) and I'm using it as a stand for the portable convection oven and induction cooktop for the time being. No fancy farm chairs for us (yet). This is just a camp chair that came off the Flying Cloud before we took it to Ohio. Comes in handy when you need to set a spell.

Brynwood Needleworks Farm Kitchen Update

This is how I envision the finished kitchen on this wall. 1) Notice that handy laundry chute to the basement. Wet or dirty kitchen linens will slide right down to a waiting basket downstairs. 2) This little bump out is where the wall oven and microwave cabinet will be. 3) This area will be a run of butcher block countertop, with a gas cook top or full gas range in the center. I just haven't decided yet. There will be an exhaust fan above in an enclosure that will match the cabinets we choose. 4) The exposed piping will remain. It will be painted white soon. The flooring will be changed.

Brynwood Needleworks Farm Kitchen Update

The windows in the south wall of the kitchen let in wonderful, natural light. I'm going to make white linen curtains and a valance to hang across them. In the corner is a radiator. Our heating contractor is calculating how tall and how many "fins" are needed to go from this tall radiator to one that will fit under the windows to have the same output. Then, he's going to hunt for the replacement. That way, our second counter top can run the full length of this wall (the west wall).

Plans will be to have more butcher block counters; a large, white farm sink in the center; cabinets and cutlery drawers below; as well as a dishwasher on the near end. Above the dishwasher will be a single, glass door cabinet for drinkware, and at the other end of the wall, a double, glass door cabinet for every day dinnerware. I'm still debating whether or not we should open up the center of this wall (above the sink) with a stationary window overlooking the back "friends and family" entrance. We'll see.

Brynwood Needleworks Farm Kitchen Update

This picture was taken standing where those two vertical pipes (needing paint) are located. I'm looking back at the pantry and the west wall of the kitchen (left side) and door to back entry hallway. The appliance in the right foreground is the little counter top convection oven, sitting atop the former pantry cabinetry piece.

Much of the wainscoting will disappear once the kitchen is installed, but it's painted for now to finish out the room until we're ready to move ahead with the actual kitchen. We haven't decided yet if our oak dining table will serve as our kitchen eating area in the center of the finished kitchen, or whether we'll opt for a marble-topped island for making bread! We'll know better after we actually start working on this room.

Brynwood Needleworks Farm Pantry

Speaking of pantry...it's received its second coat of paint, and has really brightened up. The open space at the end of the floor-to-ceiling cabinets is where the base cabinet used to sit. It's in the kitchen space now.

To the immediate left inside the door is the current sink. We've decided that we're going to eventually take out this sink, and that's where our refrigerator will go. There's plenty of width for one, and we have enough depth, so it'll stay well back from the door jamb. It also keeps a large fridge out of the kitchen space, giving us more visual and physical room there.

I think that about covers this area until we get to installing a full kitchen (and new flooring). Next time, I'll share another painted room here. A lot changed upstairs since I left in October, and I want to share it with you very soon. That's all, though, for now. Time for me to get sewing!

December 8, 2016

When I crossed the Horicon Marsh, I knew I was getting closer. It was already 10:00 in the morning, and I'd left Champaign, Illinois around 6 am. By the navigation system's calculations, I knew I'd be back at the farm by noon if all went according to plan.

The sky was dark and overcast, but streaks of sunlight danced off the open water of the marsh. Shortly after I'd stopped to take this picture, I moved further to the east and found scores of geese bunched together as they floated on the water. There were cars behind me by then, so I couldn't stop to get another picture. Perhaps next time I'm in the area.

I kept driving, knowing it was less than an hour to the farm. Tag and Bella slept in the back seat, the heater in the truck (and their fur coats) keeping them warm. We traveled through Brownsville and got onto Highway 41 (now designated as an Interstate). A few miles up the road, we again turned eastward. We wound our way over to the county trunk that would bring me close to our turn, and I started to anticipate pulling onto Hickory Road.

For a few moments, I forgot the cold. I forgot the long drive. I forgot about the truck I'd have to unpack. We came up our drive and I turned off the truck's engine. I let the dogs out and they, too, remembered. They ran joyful laps around the house and the outbuildings. I stood and laughed. We were back.

I carried the boxes I could manage alone, and our younger son arrived soon enough to help me with the rest. After we visited, I set up my bedroom, fed the dogs and then headed to my aunt and uncle's for dinner. When I returned, the porch lights shone like beacons in the dark. Last night was the first night I slept in the farmhouse. Sweet rest, indeed.

December 7, 2016

I'm getting closer. The skies are overcast, the geese are flying, and it's getting colder. All signs that I'm now more "north" than "south". (You might have to squint to see all the geese - masquerading as little black dots - all across the lower half of this photo!)

I drove most of Tuesday in the rain, stopping frequently to stretch my legs, and air the dogs. We never intended to drive the full distance back to Wisconsin yesterday, so we took our time.

Brynwood Needleworks - Weary Road Warriors

Even so, it seemed to be a long day because of the rain. We finally parked the truck in north central Illinois, we ate our dinners and tucked in for the night.

Today, we'll be back at the farm. We'll have help unloading the truck and taking everything into the house (hopefully before the deep freeze hits!). I'll make up my bed and we'll be tucked in and cozy at the farm tonight. I'll be sure to take pictures of some of the rooms to share with you tomorrow!

Thanks, everyone for the get well wishes. My knee feels much better, although it's still slightly swollen. Tag, Bella, ice and Aleve did wonders for it. xo

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